Scouring device



June 30, 1942. I B, KlNVGMAN 2,288,002

SCOURING DEVICE Filed July 15, 1941 1N VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 30, i942 stares NT FFICE Downy Products Com poration of New Jersey Application July 15, 1941, Serial No. 402,465 2 Claims. (Cl. 51-294) This invention relates to a novel article of manufacture in the form of a sc-ouring device;

`and the invention has reference, more particularly, to an improved pad-like scouring body comprising an internal mass of absorbent material enclosed within an enveloping cover of soft mesh fabric, the strand surfaces of which are more or less covered with a strongly adhered coating of abrasive material, whereby the body provides a convenient and efficient hand implement especially adapted for use as a kitchen or household aid for cleansing and brghtening surfaces which require application thereto of mild abrasive action, such, e. g., as pots, pans, dishes and various other household utensils and the like.

This invention has for an object to provide a scouring device of the kind mentioned wherein natural or artificial sponge or other spongiform material, either in a one-piece form or comprising an aggregate of small pieces, provides an absorbent cushioning body mass, and wherein said body mass is enclosed in an external covering of more or less openmesh fabric, comprising one or more layers or plies, preferably knitted from cotton or like vegetable fiber yarn, said mesh fabric covering serving as a carrier for a relatively mild abrasive substance, such as pumice or other comparatively finely ground abrasive grain, said abrasive substance being adherently afhxed to surfaces of the mesh fabric strands by a suitable adhesive, such as a lacquer or the like. I

The invention has for another object to provide a novel scouring device constituted as above stated, whereby the absorbent spongiform center mass not only provides a yieldable and surface conforming body for backing the external abrasive coated mesh fabric, but also so as to absorb a cleansing solution, such as a soap and water solution, subject to eXudation therefrom when the device is operatively rubbed over a surface desired to be cleaned, whereby to soften and loosen encrusted dirt auxiliary to the scouring or scraping effect of the abrasive constituent of the cover by which said dirt is removed, and by which the surface acted upon is thoroughly cleansed and polished.

The invention has for another object to provide a pad-like scouring body which is preferably of spheroidal shape so as to be easily grasped by the user, and yet is substantially yieldable so as to readily conform itself to Vsurfaces over which it is rubbed, while also being soft to the hand of the user with no tendency to irritate, scratch or roughen the hand.

water insoluble pany, Orange, N. J., acor- Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same. Y

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a scouring device according tothis invention, with parts of the abrasive coated mesh fabric cover broken away and shown in section, so as to disclose the spongiform internal body mass of the device; and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional View of the abrasive Coated mesh fabric cover drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive are schematic views showing various steps in the process of making up one form of the scouring device of this invention; and Figs. 7 toA 10 inclusive are similar schematic views showing various steps in the process of making up another form of the device.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views', to indicate corresponding parts.

A scouring device according to this invention, as shown in Fig. l, comprises an 4internal mass of spongiform material A, which may comprise a single piece of natural or artificial sponge or an aggregate of small pieces thereof, the latter being shown. Said internal spongiform mass is enveloped in an external covering of abrasive coated mesh fabric B. Preferably said mesh fabric is knitted from a soft cotton or other vegetable fiber yarn b, the strands of which are coated with an abrasive charged adhesive o', such e. g. as pumice or like finely ground abrasive grain suspended in a suitable water insoluble lacquer or like adhesive substance. The abrasive charged adhesive b" is applied to the mesh fabric in any suitable manner, such e. g. as by dipping, spraying or brushing. The covering B may be optionally formed of one or more plies or layers of the mesh fabric.

A method of making up a scouring device according to this invention having a single ply covering B is shown by Figs. 3 tc 6 of the accompanying drawing. According to this method, the covering B is produced from a suitable length of tubular knit mesh fabric H (see Fig. 3). One end portion of the tubular sleeve provided by the tubular knit fabric Il is gathered together and secured by a suitable tie I2, such as a winding cord, whereby to produce a closed bottom end I3 (see Fig.'4). The thus closed sleeve is preferably turned inside out, whereby to dispose the gathered end and its tie I2 interiorly thereof,

whereafter the mass of spongiform material A is filled into the interior of the sleeve through the remaining or top open end (see Fig. The remaining or top open end of the sleeve is now gathered together and closed to complete the pad-like body. This is preferably done by threading a tie I4 through the mesh fabric and around the marginal portions of said top open end, after which the outer margins of said end are tucked in and then said tie I4 is drawn tight and knotted so as to form and secure a closed top end I5 (see Fig. 6). The device, as thus made up forms a spheroidal pad-like body, which is very convenient to handle and use. The application of the abrasive charged adhesive b may be now applied to the scouring device thus formed, by spraying the same thereupon (as also indicated in Fig. 6) so as to coat the strands of the knitted mesh fabric cover therewith; after which the device is allowed to dry, and after drying is ready for commercial distribution and use.

It will be understood that the coating of the abrasive charged adhesive b may be applied to the sleeve ofmesh fabric before the same is made up, filled with the spongiform material, and finally closed; and that the application may be made by dipping the fabric in the abrasive charged adhesive, by brushing or spraying the latter onto the fabric, or in any other suitable manner.

Sincel the abrasive grain, such as pumice or other selected powdered abrasive, is carried in the adhesive vehicle in which it is suspended as a rather heavy and uniform dispersion, the abrasive grain will be well and uniformly distributed upon the surfaces of the strands of the knitted mesh fabric; and since the latter is composed of absorbent cotton or like vegetable fiber yarn, the same will tend to take up the adhesive vehicle so as to collect and concentrate the abrasive grain upon and along the strand surfaces, while nevertheless furnishing enough adherent or binding effect to assure holding of the abrasive grain thereto against powdering off or undue shedding. Not only is this so, but since the adhesive selected will be of water insoluble character, the binding effect thereof upon the abrasive grain will withstand considerable wear under conditions of use, and consequently loss of abrasive grain during use of the device will be gradual, and consequently the device will possess a considerable length of useful life, before it needs to be discarded.

It may be desirable to provide the device with a covering B comprising a plurality of layers or plies rather than of but a single layer or ply. One method of fabricating the covering to such end is shown by Figs. '7 to l0 of the drawing. The covering B in this case is produced from an extra long length of tubular knit fabric sleeve I6 (see Fig. 7), which is gathered together intermediate its ends and closed by a tie II Wound exteriorly around the same and secured (see Fig. 8), whereupon one end portion, as I8, is turned exteriorly around the other end portion I9, thus forming a double Wall covering having an inner and an outer ply. The covering thus formed is filled through the open top end thereof with the mass of spongiform material A (see Fig. 9), whereafter the open top end is closed by a tie 20 in the manner above described to complete the spheroidal body form of the device. It Will be understood that the mesh fabric sleeve I6 may be coated with the abrasive charged adhesive before it is made up into the cover B, or at any suitable stage of the above described forming operations, especially where it is desired that both plies of the double Wall cover shall carry the abrasive material. If, however, it is desired that the outer ply of the double wall cover shall mainly carry the abrasive material, then the device may be sprayed with the abrasive charged adhesive after formation of the body of the device is completed,

While I have described the make-up of the body as carried out to produce a spheroidal body form, it will be understood that this is only by way of preference, since the body may be otherwise produced to obtain any other shape of pad desired.

In use of the novel scouring device of this invention, the knitted mesh fabric covering B, by reason of the crossing of its interlinked abrasive coated loops provides an external surface of roughened character which greatly increases its scouring efficiency. Furthermore, due to the open mesh character of the fabric covering, cleansing solutions such as a soap and water solution, gains ready access to the internal mass of spongiform material A, so as to be absorbed and held by the latter, subject to exudation when the device is rubbed over a surface being cleaned, whereby the cleansing solution may quickly attack and soften hardened and encrusted dirt with softening and loosening effect thereupon in aid of the abrading action of abrasive coated fabric covering. While a knitted mesh fabric is preferred, the covering may be made of other forms of mesh fabric if desired.

After use, the device may be readily cleaned by allowing clean water to flow or rinse therethrough after which it may be squeezed dry and laid aside for repeated use.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

l. A scouring device comprising, an internal mass of spongiform material and an external covering enveloping said mass, said covering comprising an open mesh fabric knitted from vegetable ber yarn, and a coating comprising a mixture of pulverized abrasive material and an insoluble adhesive whereby the abrasive is secured to strands of said mesh fabric without filling or obstructing the mesh openings thereof.

2. A scouring device comprising, an internal mass of spongiform material and an external covering enveloping said mass, said covering comprising a mesh fabric knitted from vegetable fiber yarn, an abrasive coating deposited on strands of said mesh fabric, said' coating comprising a mixture of pumice and lacquer whereby the former is adhered to the mesh fabric strands by the latter.

BARCLAY A. KINGMAN. 

